Server side web browsing and multiple lens system, method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

A user may access a host server and receive display information within a single browser window. The display information includes at least one lens, wherein each lens controls server side web browsing and allows the user to view a separate web page from the Internet. The host server provides personalized web browsing capability specific to a particular user independent of the browser, device or location of the user. After the user submits a request to view a particular web page, the web page information is retrieved by the host server and transmitted to the user for display within a selected lens. Each lens controls server-side web browsing through independent navigational controls, such as a horizontal and vertical scroll bar, a resize button and the like. One lens may also control the web content displayed in another lens. The host server may reformat entire web pages so that they can be displayed within a lens without the need for scrolling. Additionally, each lens may have multiple cookies associated therewith. Users may further submit bookmarks which are applicable to one or more of the lenses. Bookmarks may be recognized through initiating a single command.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/565,155, filed May 3, 2000, which claims priority from provisionalU.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/187,434, entitled SERVER-SIDE WEBBROWSING AND MULTIPLE LENS SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS filed in thename of Hiang-Swee Chiang on Mar. 7, 2000, the entirety of which isincorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

A server-side web browsing and multiple lens system, method andapparatus directed to electronic document processing, and moreparticularly directed to structured electronic documents (e.g. HTML,XML) which present multiple web pages within a single browser window.

BACKGROUND

In general, computer application programs may be implemented in twoways. First, a user may load and execute a local application program.Local application programs have processing instructions that are storedin a memory of the same computing device from which the user executescommands. In order to receive upgrades to these applications, a usermust download and install any new version of the software. Because suchlocal applications are also computer specific, they also do not providepersonalized web browsing capability specific to a particular user andindependent of the browser, platform, machine and/or location of theuser.

Remote applications are accessed and implemented by a user over acomputer network, such as the Internet. Generally, a user may access aremote server and request that an application be activated. The remoteserver then transmits display data and processing instructions to theuser's computing device over the network. Such “thin-client” devices,e.g., wireless and handheld devices, are limited by memory, screen size,processing and bandwidth constraints. In applications involving suchdevices, the commands must first be transmitted from the user'scomputing device to the remote server that runs the application. Theseapplications are advantageous in that any upgrades to the software maybe implemented by an operator of the server, rather than beingdownloaded and installed by each individual user.

One type of frequently-used application program is a web browsingapplication or “browser” which is generally used to view information onthe Internet, such as pages of HTML data, graphical data (e.g. datapresented in a GIF format, TIFF format or JPEG format), and multimediapresentations (e.g. data presented in MPEG formats). Most common webbrowsers present a single display area in which web page content ispresented. Examples of such browsers include INTERNET EXPLORER 3.0 andNETSCAPE NAVIGATOR 4.0. The window in which the browser is activetypically has navigational controls such as a horizontal scroll bar, avertical scroll bar, a minimize command button, a maximize commandbutton, a forward command button, a backward command button and a closewindow lens command button. Such controls are specific to the browserapplication in the displayed window and are typically implemented by theoperating system (e.g. WINDOWS 95/98/NT/2000) rather than the browseritself.

Typically, users will visit more than one web page or web site in eachbrowsing session, and will often want to return to and make comparisonswith a previously-viewed page. Consequently, browsers with a singledisplay area are troublesome in that a user must open multiple windowson their computing device if they wish to view more than one web page ata time. To view a previous page in such browsers, the user mustrepeatedly select a “back” button until the previously-viewed page isdisplayed. These limited features inhibit navigation on the Internet.Limited navigation ability is particularly pertinent to thin-clientdevices where memory, screen size, processing and bandwidth areconstrained or limited.

Recently, several browsers have been introduced which provide separatedisplay areas that allow viewing of more than one web page. One exampleof this type of browser is INTERNET EXPLORER 5.0 which allows adesignated search page to be presented in a smaller display area of thewindow in which the browser is active. A larger display area is providedwithin the same window to view a current web page accessed by the user.However, INTERNET EXPLORER 5.0 does not provide separate navigationalcontrols for the separate display areas within the window. Also, a usermay not specify a web page other than a designated search page forpresentation in the smaller display area.

A second example of a multiple-view web browser is the browser ofBROADPAGE.COM. Each display area in the BROADPAGE.COM browser hasindependent navigational controls. However, the browser is a localapplication, not a remote application. Furthermore, multiple views are,presented in a tiled fashion rather than side-by-side, so that portionsof previously viewed documents become partially obscured when selectinga new web page to view. The browser of KATIESOFT.COM is another exampleof a local application where the multiple views are presented in anon-ovarlapping manner.

In addition to the shortcomings presented above, current browsers sufferfrom other limitations in their functionality. For example, browserstypically include the ability to bookmark a web page that is beingviewed. Bookmarking, as referred to herein, is the process by which auser designates that a web page identifier (e.g. a uniform resourcelocator (URL)) is to be stored within the browser so that, upon laterselection of the stored address, the web page may be viewed. Currently,several steps must be taken to bookmark a web page after it is presentedto the user. First, the user must typically activate a general bookmarkcommand button. Next, the user must designate that the bookmark is to beadded to a bookmark folder, and, perhaps, determine a location withinthe folder to which the bookmark information is to be stored. Finally, aconfirmation of the bookmark must be entered. Thus, bookmarking hastraditionally been a multi-step process.

Another disadvantage of common browser systems is that bookmarks aresaved in the local computer device. Thus, they are not portable from onedevice to another.

Still another disadvantage of common browsers is that they generally donot allow the entire content of a web page to be viewed at once. Manyweb pages contain content, the size or length of which may exceed thedisplay area of a browser window. Typically, browsers rely on the scrollbar functions provided by the operating system to allow a user to scrollthrough the web site content. The ability to reformat a web page so thatits entire content can be viewed within the display area of a windowwithout scrolling has not been possible in earlier browsing systems. Theneed for reformatting web pages is particularly pertinent to thin-clientdevices with limited screen displays.

SUMMARY

The above-identified problems are solved and a technical advance isachieved by a server side web browsing and multiple lens system, methodand apparatus. One advantage of the system, method and apparatus is thata host server presents centralized memory and processing to facilitatecommunications with thin-client devices.

Another advantage of the host server is to present multiple web pageinformation to a user through server-side programming, which facilitatesweb page persistence across session, browser, device and location, i.e.,the host server provides personalized web browsing capability specificto a particular user independent of the browser, platform, device and/orlocation of the user.

Yet another advantage of the host server is that it enables translationson the fly from one protocol received from a third party server toanother protocol for display to a user on a remote device. For example,the remote server can reformat web content received from a third partyserver so that it can be displayed within the display area of a user'sdevice. Consequently, a user may view the entire contents of areformatted web page within the display area of a single lens or browserwindow, i.e., a miniaturized full view screen in lieu of using ahorizontal or vertical scroll bar. The host server can further translateany input language (e.g., HTML, CSS, XML, 20 XSL, XHTML, WML) to anyoutput language (e.g., HTML, WML) for display to a particular use.

Still another advantage of the host server is that it provides acentralized memory to store bookmarks and cookies so that they areportable from one device to another device. It is a further advantage ofthe system, method and apparatus that a user may bookmark a web page ora plurality of web pages with a single command and store it.

It is yet another advantage of the system, method and apparatus thateach lens may have multiple cookies associated therewith. Alternatively,a cookie may be stored so that it is associated with a particular userregardless of the browser, platform, device and/or location of the user.Storing cookies on the server-side allows an unlimited number and sizeof cookies to be stored per user or lens. The server-side storagecapacity for such cookies is particularly pertinent to thin-clientdevices which have limited storage capacity.

Still another advantage of the system, method and apparatus is that auser may simultaneously view and interact with a plurality of web pageswithin a single browser window through one or more lenses wherein eachlens controls server-side web browsing through an independent and fullrange of navigational controls, i.e., full browser control capability.

An advantage of the server-side browsing capability of the system,method and apparatus is that it enables multiple browsers forthin-client devices limited by memory, screen size, processing andbandwidth constraints.

Yet another advantage of the system, method and apparatus is that onelens can control the web content displayed in another lens. For example,one lens can be used to conduct a search and the results of the searchcan be displayed in another lens.

In one embodiment, the system, method and apparatus presents web contentto a user at a remote device. According to the embodiment, a host servertransmits display information to the user comprising at least one lensfor presentation within a window of a browser on the user's device. Anynumber of lenses can be used in the system, method and apparatus. Inalternative embodiments, the number of lenses are two, four or aplurality of lenses.

Each lens controls server-side web browsing and is operative to displaya separate web page upon receiving a uniform resource locator or otherweb identifier (collectively “URL”) from the user. Each lens controlsserver-side browsing through any number and type of navigationalcontrols such as a uniform resource locator entry field, a horizontalscroll bar, a vertical scroll bar, a minimize command button, a maximizecommand button, a close lens command button, a forward command button, abackward command button, a bookmark command button, a reformat commandbutton or a menu command button. In another embodiment, a lens may havea full range of navigational controls, i.e., full browser controlcapability. In still another embodiment, one lens may control the webcontent displayed in another lens.

In other embodiments, the host server may receive an identifier from auser, verify the identifier and transmit display information to theuser, such that the user has web page persistence across session,platform, browser, device and location. The host server may also storeat least one cookie associated with each lens or with a user'sidentifier. The host server may further receive a single bookmarkcommand to bookmark a web page presented to a user and store a bookmarkidentifier corresponding to the web page.

In still another embodiment, the host server translates any protocolreceived by a third party server to a second protocol to be presented toa user on a remote device. The server receives from a third party serverweb page display data in a first language, such as hypertext markuplanguage (HTML), cascading style sheet language (CSS), extensible markuplanguage (XML), extensible stylesheet language (XSL), extensiblehypertext markup language (XHTML) or wireless markup language (WML) andtranslates the data into a second language, such as HTML or WML, forpresentation on the remote device.

In yet another embodiment, the web page display data received by thehost server from a third party server is reformatted by the host serverso that substantially all of the display data can be displayed withinthe display area of the lens or window on the remote device. The serverdetermines the size of the display area of the lens or window of aremote device. If the size of the display data is greater than the sizeof the display area, the server reformats the display data so that itcan be presented with the display area of the lens. The server canreformat the size of the display data to be substantially equal to thesize of the display area. Alternatively, if the size of the display datais less than the size of the display area, the server can reformat thesize of the display data to be substantially equal to the size of thedisplay area.

In still another embodiment, a user transmits a request to the server toreformat a web page. In response to the request, the host serverreformats the web page so that substantially all of the display data isdisplayed within the display area of the user's lens or window, suchthat the user does not have to use a horizontal or vertical scroll barto view the data. In an alternative embodiment, the web page can bereformatted by the server to any percentage of its original sizeselected by the user.

It is not intended that the server-side web browsing and multiple lenssystem, method and apparatus be summarized here in its entirety. Forexample, the system, method and apparatus is also directed to a remotedevice for receiving display information from the host server, includingat least one lens present within a window of a browser on the remotedevice, wherein each lens controls server-side web browsing. The system,method and apparatus is further directed to a computer readable mediumhaving computer executable software code stored thereon for presenting,through a host server, web content to a user at a remote terminal andfor receiving web content at a remote device. Further features, aspectsand advantages of the system, method and apparatus are set forth in orare apparent from the following brief and detailed descriptions anddrawings and claims which follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further aspects of the server-side web browsing and multiple lens,system, method and apparatus will be more readily appreciated uponreview of the detailed description set forth below when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary computer networkincluding the application host server;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of exemplary components of an application hostserver for use with the system of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3-12 are a flowchart of an exemplary process by which a user maysimultaneously view and bookmark a plurality of web pages;

FIGS. 13-15 are a flowchart of an exemplary process by which a user maymaximize or minimize a lens containing web page display data;

FIG. 16 is an exemplary screen display depicting a user log-in page;

FIG. 17 is an exemplary screen display of a hierarchical tree structure(i.e., a menu) for administering the content of a lens;

FIG. 18 is an exemplary screen display depicting a plurality of lenseswithin a single browser window;

FIG. 19 is an exemplary screen display of a lens having full browsercapability;

FIG. 20 is an exemplary screen display of a maximized lens;

FIG. 21 is an exemplary network illustrating a dynamic miniaturizationapplication; and

FIG. 22 is an exemplary illustration of a miniaturized web page to bepresented within a display area of a lens or a browser window.

It will be understood that the foregoing brief description and thefollowing detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of thisinvention, but are not intended to be restrictive thereof or limiting ofthe advantages which can be achieved by this invention. Thus, theaccompanying drawings, referred to herein and constituting a parthereof, illustrate embodiments of this invention and, together with thedetailed description, serve to explain the principles of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, in general, the server-side web browsing andmultiple lens system, method and apparatus allows a user at a remotedevice 2 to access an application host server 16 which implementsmultiple lens displays. The server 16 generates appropriate display dataand transmits the same to the user for display within a single window ofa local web browsing application. The display data formats the window topresent at least one lens. The display data can be customized 15 foreach user to present data through as many lenses as suits a user'sneeds, e.g., two, three, four, five, six or more lenses can bepresented. The lenses can also be formatted in any shape or orientation.

Each lens controls server-side web browsing through independentnavigational controls. The controls allow a user to, inter alia: (i)select a web page URL to be displayed; (ii) navigate backward andforward through a viewing history of web pages; (iii) scroll up or downor from side to side; (iv) maximize or minimize selected web pages; and(v) bookmark a web page with a single command. Such server-side browsingis accomplished by a server which presents command buttons or text entryfields having embedded commands associated therewith. The embeddedcommands generally take the form of: http:// <server>:<port>/<multiplelens system>/?JLMClick=<command>[&<attribute name>=<attribute value>...]where:

-   -   server=the host name of the server running the multiple lens        system;    -   port=the port number on which the multiple lens system receives        commands;    -   multiple lens system=The resource name of the multiple lens        system;    -   command=the different commands for various lens operations        described below;    -   attribute name=the argument name of a specific command; and    -   Attribute value=the argument value of a specific command

The commands used to implement the server-side web browsing and multiplelens system generally include the following: NAME: ATTRIBUTE: ACTION:JLSShowCurrentDesktop None Instructs the server to show the current webpages within a single window. The server keeps a copy of the web pageidentifiers so that in the event of a network interruption or user sign-out, the same display of web pages will persist across sessions.JLSShowTile JLVRows, Tiles all lenses into JLVColumns JLVRows andJLVColumns. If one or both attributes are not specified, current row andcolumn values are taken from the operating system of the user's devicevalues. JLSShowRow JLVRow Shows all lenses on a horizontal row of thewindow. JLVRow contains the row number starting from, i.e. 1 at the topof the window. JLSShowLens JLVLens, Shows a lens. JLVLens JLVTypespecifies the coordinates of the lens where, i.e. 11 may designate thetop left position, i.e., 12 the top right position, i.e,. 21 the bottomleft position and, i.e., 22 the bottom right position. JLVType specifieshow to show the lens (e.g. minimized or maximized). JLSShowTitleJLVLens, Shows the title bar of a JLVType web page displayed in a lens.JLSShowCurrentView JLVLens Shows the current view of a lens.JLSShowPreviousView JLVLens Shows the previous view of a lens.JLSShowNextView JLVLens Shows the next view of a lens. JLSShowSystemMenuJLVLens Shows menu web page in a lens. JLSAddLens JLVTitleText, Adds alens to the JLVIcon window. JLSRemoveLens JLVLens Removes a lens fromthe window. JLSGetLenses None Retrieves the number of lenses displayedin the window. JLSGetRows None Retrieves the number of rows in thewindow. JLSGetColumns None Retrieves the number of columns in thewindow. JLSGetTitleText JLVLens Retrieves the title text of a lens.JLSGetIcon JLVLens Retrieves the icon of a lens. JLSSetRows None Setsthe number of rows in the window. JLSSetColumns None Sets the number ofcolumns in the window. JLSSetTitleText JLVLens Sets the title text of alens. JLSSetIcon JLVLens Sets the icon of a lens.

The commands may implement programming scripts, such as may be generatedin JAVASCRIPT, to perform the corresponding action. In response to thesecommands, the server 16 generates output in a suitablebrowser-compatible language such as HTML. The output includes use ofFRAME or IFRAME commands to generate a multiple lens display. For eachnew command received from the user, the output is regenerated andre-transmitted by the server 16 for display on the user device 2. Theoutput may be further updated if a selected web page in the displaytransmits refresh information or new data.

In an example of the use of these commands, a server 16 may authenticatea user who is accessing the multiple lens system. After authentication,the user, through the local web browser, transmits to the server 16 aredirection command including the JLSShowCurrentDesktop command. Theserver 16 may reply to the command by, for example, outputting HTMLframing commands which set title bars, status bars, display areas andborders for all the lenses to be displayed in a window controlled by thelocal browser. When the user wants to change the layout of the window orwhen the user adds or removes lenses from the window, the local browsertransmits a JLSShowTile command to the server 16 which in turn will tileall the lenses according to current row and column parameters.

Turning again to FIG. 1, there is depicted an exemplary computer network1 through which a plurality of remote devices 2, 4, 6 may communicatewith server 16 and a plurality of third-party servers 10, 12, 14 vianetwork connection 8 in any known manner. Computer network 1 can be anInternet-based network such as the World Wide Web. It may also be anyone or more of a local area network (LAN), a wide-area network (WAN), anintranet environment, an extranet environment, a wireless network or anyother type of computer network, such as those enabled over publicswitched telephone networks.

Remote devices 2, 4, 6 may each be any type of computing device, such asa personal computer, a workstation, a network terminal, a hand-heldremote access device, a personal digital assistant (PDA) or any otherdevice, including wireless devices, that can accomplish two-wayelectronic communication over the network connection 8. Specificfunctions and operations of user devices 2-6, third-party web siteservers 10, 12, 14 and application host server 16 are discussed furtherbelow.

Turning now to FIG. 2, displayed therein are exemplary components of acomputing device, such as server 16. Any of user remote devices 2, 4 and6 or third-party web site servers 10, 12, 14 may share a similarconfiguration as follows. The primary component of server 16 isprocessor 20, which may be any commonly available microprocessor, suchas the PENTIUM III manufactured by INTEL CORP. The processor 20 may beoperatively connected to further exemplary components, such as RAM/ROM26, a clock 28, input/output devices 30, and a memory 22 which, in turn,stores one or more computer programs 24.

Processor 20 operates in conjunction with random access memory andread-only memory. The random-access memory (RAM) portion of RAM/ROM 26may be a suitable number of Single In-line Memory Module (SIMM) chipshaving a storage capacity (typically measured in kilobytes or megabytes)sufficient to store and transfer, inter alia, processing instructionsutilized by processor 20 which may be received from application programs24. The read-only memory (ROM) portion of RAM/ROM 26 may be anypermanent non-rewritable memory medium capable of storing andtransferring, inter alia, processing instructions performed by processor20 during a start-up routine of server 16.

Clock 28 may be an on-board component of processor 20 which dictates aclock speed (typically measured in MHz) at which processor 20 performsand synchronizes, inter alia, communication between the internalcomponents of server 16.

Input/output device(s) 30 may be one or more known devices used forreceiving operator inputs, network data, and the like and transmittingoutputs resulting therefrom. Accordingly, exemplary input devices mayinclude a keyboard, a mouse, a voice recognition unit and the like forreceiving operator inputs. Output devices may include any known devicesused to present data to an operator of the server 16 or to transmit dataover the computer network 1 to a remote user or customer. Accordingly,suitable output devices may include a display, a printer and a voicesynthesizer connected to a speaker.

Other input/output devices 30 may include a telephonic or networkconnection device, such as a telephone modem, a cable modem, a T-1connection, a digital subscriber line or a network card, forcommunicating data to and from other computer devices over computernetwork 1, such as remote device 2. In an embodiment involving a networkserver, communications devices used as input/output devices 30 can havecapacity to handle high bandwidth traffic in order to accommodatecommunications with a large number of users 2-6.

Memory 22 may be an internal or external large capacity device forstoring computer processing instructions, computer-readable data, andthe like. The storage capacity of the memory 22 is typically measured inmegabytes or gigabytes. Accordingly, memory 22 may be one or more of thefollowing: a floppy disk in conjunction with a floppy disk drive, a harddisk drive, a CD-ROM disk and reader/writer, a DVD disk andreader/writer, a ZIP disk and a ZIP drive of the type manufactured byIOMEGA CORP., and/or any other computer readable medium that may beencoded with processing instructions in a read-only or read-writeformat. Further functions of and available devices for memory 22 will beapparent.

Memory 22 may store, inter alia, a plurality of programs 24 which may beany one or more of an operating system such as WINDOWS 2000 by MICROSOFTCORP., and one or more application programs, such as a web hostingprogram. The programs 24 may include processing instructions foraccomplishing a server-side web browsing system as described herein.

Turning now to FIGS. 3-12, therein is depicted an exemplary process 30by which a user may simultaneously view a plurality of web pages. Theprocess 30 may begin after a user at a remote device 2 selects the URLof an application host server 16 which offers a server-side, multiplelens, browsing application. As shown in FIG. 16, the URL for the hostserver 16 may be entered in the URL entry field 163 of the browserresiding on the user's device 2. An exemplary sign-in window 160, suchas the one presented in FIG. 16, may then be presented to the user.Window 160 can have menu and resize controls which are defined by theoperating system residing on the user's device 2. Such menu and re-sizecontrols may include a menu bar 161, a minimize command button 165, amaximize command button 167 and a close window command button 169. Thewindow 160 may furthermore offer navigational controls such as URL entryfield 163.

In order to complete the sign-in, the user may enter a user name orother unique identifier into user name field 162 and may further enter apassword into password field 164 (step 32). An optional field such ascompany field 166 may be provided for those users that subscribe to theserver 16 through a group affiliation, such as a corporation. Uponentering the field information into field 162, 164 and 166, the user maytransmit such information to the remote server by selecting the sign-inbutton 168 with a pointing device, such as a mouse. If the informationhas been entered incorrectly or if the user decides not to log into theserver 16, the user may select the cancel command button 158 to abortthe sign-in.

After signing in, the server 16 may verify the sign-in informationprovided by the user, e.g., confirm its validity, and transmit a screendisplay such as that depicted in window 180 of FIG. 18. The screendisplay may present the last web page(s) browsed by the user (step 34).The window 180 may have at least one lens, two lenses, three lenses,four lenses 171, 173, 181 and 183, or more, each of which may presentany URL indicated by the user. Each lens may have independentnavigational controls, such as a maximize command button 182, a verticalscroll bar 185, and a horizontal scroll bar 187 as shown in FIG. 18, aswell as a menu command button 192, a bookmark button 194, a backwardcommand button 196, and a forward command button 198 as depicted inwindow 190 of FIG. 19, the functionality of each being described furtherhereinbelow. Each lens may further have a full range of navigationalcontrols, i.e., full browser control capability.

In one embodiment, one lens may control the web content displayed inanother lens. For example, a user may use a first lens as a searchengine to conduct an informational search on any topic. The results ofthe search can be directed by the first lens to be displayed in a secondlens.

In some cases, the validity of the sign-in information may be confirmedby matching the user-entered information to user data stored by server16 in memory 22. The stored user data may be in the form of a securedatabase (not shown) having a number of records and fields for storinguser names, passwords, company affiliation information, a history of webpages viewed by the user, and the like. If there is no data that matchesthe user-entered information, then the user may not access the server.Otherwise, the process 30 continues as described below.

From step 34, the user may decide to enter a new page to view, bookmarka page, view a previous page in the user's history or view a next pagein the viewer's history. If the user chooses to enter a new web page toview, the process continues to step 36 where the user selects the menucommand button 192 from one of the lenses 171, 173, 181, 183 in whichthe user chooses the web page to be displayed. The menu command button192 may be selected by using a pointing device such as a mouse or byusing a tab feature on the device 2 to select the menu command button192. The local web browser residing on the user's device 2 thenelectronically forwards the command over network connection 8 to theapplication host server 16 (step 38). In response to the receivedcommand, the server 16 can return a menu web page 175 as depicted inFIGS. 17 and 18 (step 40).

The hierarchical tree structure or menu web page 175 enables the user toselect a number of options, including selecting a bookmark folder 172, ahistory folder 174, and a field 176 for entering a URL. The menu webpage may further contain a news folder for selecting news articles orweb sites, a web portal folder for selecting a desired portal, anintranet option for selecting intranet files, and an extranet folder forselecting extranet files. If the user selects the bookmark folder, theprocess 30 continues to step 88, as discussed below with respect to FIG.9. If the user selects the history folder 174, the process continues tostep 96 as described below with respect to FIG. 10. Alternatively, theuser may instead enter a desired URL into URL entry field 176 (step 42)and then select the view button 178 to transmit the requested URL to theserver 16 (step 44). The process 30 then continues to step 104 discussedbelow in conjunction with FIG. 11.

As described above with respect to step 34, a user may proceed tobookmark a web page after the remote server transmits displayinformation to the user. In such a case, the process 30 continues tostep 46 where the user selects the bookmark button 194 in a lens inwhich the desired web page is displayed. The browser residing on theuser's device 2 then transmits the bookmark command to the server 16over network connection 8 (step 48). The bookmark command may beperformed in a single step, that is, by selecting the bookmark commandbutton 194 without additional inputs. The server 16 may then store thebookmark in a location which is accessed through the user's bookmarkfolder 172 (step 50). The server 16 may then refresh the current webpage being viewed (step 52) which is then displayed in the appropriatelens on the user's device 2 (step 54), after which the process 30returns to step 34, described above.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the process 30 may continue from step 34 tostep 56 where the user may select the backward command button 196 in adesired lens. Similar to the back command on a standard browser, thebackward command is a request to view a previous web page in a viewinghistory of the selected lens. In response to the selection of thebackward command button 196, the web browser residing on the user'sdevice 2 transmits the backward command to server 16 over networkconnection 8 (step 58). If a previously-viewed web page exists, theprocess 30 continues to step 76, discussed below with respect to FIG. 8.Otherwise, the process 30 continues to step 62 where the server 16refreshes the current web page being viewed, after which the refreshedweb page is displayed on the user's device 2 (step 64). The process 30then returns to step 34, discussed previously above.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the process 30 may continue from step 34 tostep 66 where the user may select the forward command button 198 in adesired lens. Similar to the forward command on a standard browser, theforward command of the system is a request to view a subsequent web pagein a viewing history of the selected lens. In response to the selectionof the forward command button 198, the web browser residing on theuser's device 2 transmits the forward command to server 16 over networkconnection 8 (step 68). If a next web page exists, the process 30continues to step 76, discussed below with respect to FIG. 8. Otherwise,the process 30 continues to step 72 where the server 16 refreshes thecurrent web page being viewed, after which the refreshed web page isdisplayed on the user's device 2 (step 74). The process 30 then returnsto step 34, discussed previously above.

Referring now to FIG. 8, process 30 continues from either step 60 or 70described above to step 76 where the server 16 transmits a request overnetwork connection 8 to a third-party server (e.g. web site server 10,12, 14) which hosts the requested web page. In response, the third-partyserver transmits web page data to the server 16 (step 78). The server 16may then process the received data into a format suitable fortransmission to the user's device 2 (step 80). The server 16 may furtheradd the URL corresponding to the received data to the user's viewinghistory (step 82). The server 16 then transmits web page display data tothe user including the reformatted web page data (step 84) which is thendisplayed in the appropriate lens on user device 2 (step 86). Theprocess 30 then returns to step 34 above.

In processing the web page display data received from a third partyserver, the host server can translate such data on the fly forpresentation on a user device. For example, data received from a thirdparty server may be in any form, including HTML, CSS, XML, XSL, XHTML orWML. The host server can translate such data into any other form, suchas HTML or WML, for presentation on a user's device. As discussedfurther below, the host server can further reformat web page datareceived from a third party server on the fly.

Turning to FIG. 9, process 30 may continue from step 40 described aboveto step 88, where the user selects the bookmark folder 172 from a menuweb page 175 displayed in a lens 171. The browser on the user's device 2then transmits a bookmark folder request over network connection 8 toserver 16 (step 90). In response to the request, the server 16 generatesa bookmark list page showing all the bookmarks stored for the user andtransmits the data for display in the lens 171 on the user device 2(step 92). The user may then choose one of the desired bookmarks (step94) after which the process 30 continues to step 104, described belowwith respect to FIG. 11.

Referring now to FIG. 10, the process 30 may continue from step 40 tostep 96 where the user may select the history folder 174 from the menuweb page 175 displayed in the lens 171. The web browser residing on userdevice 2 then transmits a request for viewing history data to server 16over network connection 8 (step 98). The server 16 then generates a pagedisplaying a predetermined number of web pages which the user haspreviously visited and transmits the same for display in the lens 171 ofuser device 2 (step 100). The user may then select one of the web pagesfrom the viewing history (step 102), after which the process 30continues to step 104, discussed immediately below.

Referring now to FIG. 11, the process 30 may continue from any of steps44, 94 or 102 described above to step 104 where the browser residing onthe user's device 2 transmits a requested web page to the server 16 overnetwork connection 8. The server 16, in turn, sends a request for theweb page to the appropriate third-party server, e.g. web site server 10,over network connection 8 (step 106). The third-party server thentransmits the requested web page data back to the server 16 (step 108),after which the process 30 continues to step 110, discussed immediatelybelow.

Turning now to FIG. 12, the process 30 continues to step 110 where theserver 16 processes the received web page data to generate display datawherein the requested web page will be presented in the appropriate lens171. The server 16 then adds the current URL to the most recent spot inthe user's viewing history folder (step 112). Next, the server 16transmits the generated display data to the user device 2 over networkconnection 8 (step 118). Upon receipt, the web browser residing on theuser's device presents the multi-lens display to the user with therequested web page displayed in the appropriate lens 171 (step 116). Theprocess 30 then returns to step 34, described above. Process 30 maycontinue until the user exits the browser, turns off the user device 2,or otherwise halts communication with server 16.

In addition to providing a user with the ability to view multiple websites in a suitable number of lenses within a single browser window, andto navigate through different web sites using command buttons presentedby a remote server 16, one embodiment allows a user to maximize aselected web page within the browser window. A process 131 formaximizing and minimizing one of a plurality of web pages within asingle browser window is presented in FIGS. 13-15. Referring now to FIG.13, the process 130 begins after a user enters a URL for a host server16 in the URL entry line 163 of the browser residing on user device 2which, in turn, establishes a link to the server 16 via networkconnection 8. The server 16 first transmits a sign-in page, such as theone presented in window 160 of FIG. 16.

The user may fill in a user name and password in the appropriate fields162 and 164, as well as affiliation information, if applicable, andselects the sign-in button 168 (step 132). The local browser thentransmits the sign-in request to the server 16 over network connection 8(step 134). Upon receipt, the server 16 matches the received sign-ininformation to valid, stored user sign in data, and authenticates theuser if matching data is found (step 136). The server 16 may alsoretrieve the last web pages viewed by the user and generates displaydata including at least two frames which display the last web pagesviewed (step 138). The display information is then transmitted overnetwork connection 8 to the user device 2 for display to the user (step140). The display information may include HTML FRAME or IFRAME commandsfor generating the multiple lens display. The process 130 then continuesto step 142, described immediately below.

Turning now to FIG. 14, the process 130 continues to step 142 where theuser may wish to view a maximized version of a web page displayed in oneof the plurality of lenses 171, 173, 181, 183. To accomplish this, theuser may select the maximize button 182 in the desired lens. The localbrowser then transmits the maximize request to the server 16 overnetwork connection 8 (step 144). In response, server 16 generates newdisplay data in which only the selected web page will be viewed withinthe browser window. The new display data is then transmitted to the userdevice 2 over the network connection 8 (step 146). The resulting displaymay resemble the window 200 in FIG. 20. The process 130 then continuesto step 148, discussed below.

Turning now to FIG. 15, the process continues to step 148, where theuser enters a command to minimize the web page. This may be accomplishedby selecting the minimize button 202 as displayed in FIG. 20. The localbrowser transmits the minimize request to the server 16 over the networkconnection 8 (step 5 150). The server 16 then generates new display dataincluding the plurality of lenses with the formerly maximized web pagepresented in its original lens (step 152), after which the process 130returns to step 142, described above. Process 130 may continue until theuser exits the browser, turns off the user device 2, or otherwise haltscommunication with server 16.

In another embodiment, it is possible for the server to store multiplecookies for each lens of the user's display. Cookies refer to filestransmitted by third-party servers 10, 12, 14 and which are typicallystored in memory 22 of a user's device 2. The cookies may serve toidentify the user to the third-party server. Rather than storing cookieson the user's device 2, the server 16 may store the cookies in theserver's memory 22 and associate the same with the particular user.Cookies may be further designated as belonging to a particular lens ofthe user's multiple lens display rather to the user in general.

In still another embodiment, the display information may be configuredby the server 16 so that substantially all the content of a selected webpage may be reformatted to fit within the display area of a lens orbrowser window. Typically, a web page contains more data than will fitwithin the display area of a window. In such a case, horizontal andvertical scroll bars 187, 185 are provided so that a user may view allthe content of the web page. However, it may be desirable to allow theuser to view the entire content at once. Accordingly, the system, methodand apparatus allow the server to reformat the display informationreceived from a third party server 10 so that substantially all thecontent of a web page can be presented within the display area of a lensor a local browser window. This may be accomplished by reducing the fontsize of the text of the web page, compressing pixel data associated withthe web content, or in any other manner. The display data of a selectedweb page may be reformatted to present substantially all content of theweb page within the display area of each lens, either automatically orin response to a user request. A user can request that the web pagedisplay data be reformatted to any percentage of its original size.Alternatively, the system can be utilized to increase the size of webpage data so that it is substantially the same size as a larger displayarea.

The server-side web browsing and multiple lens system, method andapparatus enables dynamic miniaturized viewing of web pages. The system,method and apparatus is particularly suitable for thin-client technologywhere the viewing screen is on a small scale basis, such as in amultiple lens system described herein wherein the display area of eachlens may be substantially smaller than the browser window, or inhand-held remote access wireless devices or PDA's.

FIG. 21 illustrates miniaturization application 210 as it is applied toa multiple lens display in web browser 212. To view a web page, a webbrowser sends a request with the appropriate URL to the system that inturns retrieves the HTML content 214 from the corresponding web site216. The system applies the appropriate transformations to the HTMLcontent before forwarding the reformatted or transformed HTML 218 to webbrowser 210. The transformations reduce the view size of the web contentso that the web content can be easily viewed within a small size viewingarea.

The system uses cascading style sheet technology to reduce the defaulttext size of a web page. It also transforms the width, height and sizeattributes to HTML tags such as <table>, <td>, <img>, and <font>. In anexemplary illustration of the transformations, the system is programmedto reduce the view size by 50%. The system sets the default text sizeusing cascading style sheet to 8 point size where the normal size is 12point size. The system also reduces the width, height and sizeattributes of HTML tags such as <table>, <td>, <img>, and <font>, tohalf the original value. An example of a reformatted web page shown inits reduced size is illustrated in FIG. 22.

In an alternative embodiment, the system can be programmed toautomatically reduce or enlarge the view size of a web page to anypercentage of its original size, e.g., 50%, 75%, 125%, 150%, 200%.Altematively, the system can reduce or enlarge the view size of a webpage to any percentage selected by a user.

Although illustrative embodiments have been described herein in detail,it should be noted and understood that the descriptions have beenprovided for purposes of illustration only and that other variationsboth in form and detail can be made thereupon without departing from thespirit and scope of this invention. The terms and expressions have beenused as terms of description and not terms of limitation. There is nolimitation to use the terms or expressions to exclude any equivalents offeatures shown and described or portions thereof and this inventionshown be defined with the claims that follow.

1. A method, performed by a host server, for presenting web content to auser at a remote device, comprising: receiving an identifier from saiduser; verifying said identifier; and upon said verification,transmitting display information including at least one lens forpresentation within a window of a browser on said remote device, whereinthe at least one lens controls server-side web browsing and is operativeto display a separate web page upon receiving a uniform resource locatorfrom said user.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receivinga first uniform resource locator through a first lens; and transmittinga first web page corresponding to said first uniform resource locatorfor display in said first lens.
 3. The method of claim 2, furthercomprising receiving web page display data corresponding to said firstweb page from a second server.
 4. The method of claim 3, furthercomprising: receiving said web page display data in a first language;and translating said web page display data into a second language priorto transmission for display on said remote device.
 5. The method ofclaim 4, wherein said first language comprises at least one of hypertextmarkup language, cascading style sheet language, extensible markuplanguage, extensible style sheet language, extensible hypertext markuplanguage and wireless markup language.
 6. The method of claim 4, whereinsaid second language comprises at least one of hypertext markup languageand wireless markup language.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein fourlenses are transmitted for display.
 8. The method of claim 1, whereineach lens has at least one navigational control.
 9. The method of claim8, wherein said navigational control comprises at least one of a uniformresource locator entry field, a horizontal scroll bar, a vertical scrollbar, a minimize command button, a maximize command button, a close lenscommand button, a forward command button, a backward command button, abookmark command button, a reformat command button and a menu commandbutton.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein each lens has full browsercontrol capability.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein a first lenscontrols the web content displayed in a second lens.
 12. The method ofclaim 1, wherein each lens is operative to present web page display datafor any uniform resource locator received.
 13. The method of claim 1,wherein said identifier comprises an identification code and a password.14. The method of claim 2, further comprising: receiving a singlecommand to bookmark said first web page; and storing a bookmarkidentifier for said first web page.
 15. The method of claim 14, whereinsaid single command is received through a bookmark command buttonassociated with said first lens.
 16. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising storing at least one cookie associated with each lens. 17.The method of claim 1, further comprising storing at least one cookieassociated with said user identifier.
 18. The method of claim 2, whereinsaid first web page is transmitted such that only a portion of displaydata associated with said first web page can be viewed within a displayarea of said first lens without using a horizontal scroll bar or avertical scroll bar.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:receiving a request from said user to reformat said first web page; andreformatting said first web page in response to said request.
 20. Themethod of claim 19, further comprising transmitting a reformatted firstweb page to said user for display in said first lens, whereinsubstantially all of said display data can be viewed within said displayarea without using said horizontal scroll bar or said vertical scrollbar.
 21. The method of claim 19, further comprising transmitting saidfirst web page reformatted to a percentage of its original size selectedby said user.
 22. The method of claim 2, further comprising: receivingdisplay data corresponding to said first web page; determining whethersaid display data has a size greater than or less than a display area ofsaid first lens; and reformatting said first web page if said size isgreater than or less than said display area.
 23. The method of claim 22,further comprising transmitting a reformatted first web page to saiduser for display in said first lens, wherein substantially all of saiddisplay data can be viewed within said display area without using ahorizontal scroll bar or a vertical scroll bar.
 24. The method of claim22, further comprising transmitting said first web page reformatted to apercentage of its original size selected by said user.
 25. A host serverfor presenting web content to a user at a remote device, comprising: astorage device; and a processor connected to the storage device, thestorage device storing a program for controlling the processor; theprocessor operative with the program to, (i) receive an identifier fromsaid user; (ii) verify said identifier; and (iii) transmit displayinformation to said user including at least one lens for presentationwithin a window of a browser on said remote device, wherein the at leastone lens controls server-side web browsing and is operative to display aseparate web page upon receiving a uniform resource locator from saiduser.
 26. The host server of claim 25, wherein the processor is furtheroperative with the program to: receive a first uniform resource locatorthrough a first lens; and transmit a first web page corresponding tosaid first uniform resource locator for display in said first lens. 27.The host server of claim 26, wherein the processor is further operativewith the program to receive web page display data corresponding to saidfirst web page from a second server.
 28. The host server of claim 27,wherein the processor is further operative with the program to: receivesaid web page display data in a first language; and translate said webpage display data into a second language prior to transmission fordisplay on said remote device.
 29. The host server of claim 28, whereinsaid first language comprises at least one of hypertext markup language,cascading style sheet language, extensible markup language, extensiblestyle sheet language, extensible hypertext markup language and wirelessmarkup language.
 30. The host server of claim 28, wherein said secondlanguage comprises at least one of hypertext markup language andwireless markup language.
 31. The host server of claim 25, wherein saidplurality of lenses comprises four lenses.
 32. The host server of claim25, wherein each lens has at least one navigational control.
 33. Thehost server of claim 32, wherein said navigational control comprises atleast one of a uniform resource locator entry field, a horizontal scrollbar, a vertical scroll bar, a minimize command button, a maximizecommand button, a close lens command button, a forward command button, abackward command button, a bookmark command button, a reformat commandbutton and a menu command button.
 34. The host server of claim 25,wherein each lens has full browser control capability.
 35. The hostserver of claim 25, wherein a first lens controls the web contentdisplayed in a second lens.
 36. The host server of claim 25, whereineach lens is operative to present web page display data for any uniformresource locator received.
 37. The host server of claim 25, wherein saididentifier comprises an identification code and a password.
 38. The hostserver of claim 26, wherein the processor is further operative with theprogram to: receive a single command to bookmark said first web page;and store a bookmark identifier for said first web page.
 39. The hostserver of claim 38, wherein said single command is received through abookmark command button associated with said first lens.
 40. The hostserver of claim 25, wherein the processor is further operative with theprogram to store at least one cookie associated with each lens.
 41. Thehost server of claim 25, wherein the processor is further operative withthe program to store at least one cookie associated with said useridentifier.
 42. The host server of claim 26, wherein the processor isfurther operative with the program to transmit said first web page suchthat only a portion of display data associated with said first web pagecan be viewed within a display area of said first lens without using ahorizontal scroll bar or a vertical scroll bar.
 43. The host server ofclaim 42, wherein the processor is further operative with the programto: receive a request from said user to reformat said first web page;and reformat said first web page in response to said request.
 44. Thehost server of claim 43, wherein the processor is further operative withthe program to transmit a reformatted first web page to said user fordisplay in said first lens, wherein substantially all of said displaydata can be viewed within said display area without using saidhorizontal scroll bar or said vertical scroll bar.
 45. The host serverof claim 43, wherein the processor is further operative with the programto transmit said first web page reformatted to a percentage of itsoriginal size selected by said user.
 46. The host server of claim 26,wherein the processor is further operative with the program to: receivedisplay data corresponding to said first web page; determine whethersaid display data has a size greater than or less than a display area ofsaid first lens; and reformat said first web page if said size isgreater than or less than said display area.
 47. The host server ofclaim 46, wherein the processor is further operative with the program totransmit a reformatted first web page to said user for display in saidfirst lens, wherein substantially all of said display data can be viewedwithin said display area without using a horizontal scroll bar or avertical scroll bar.
 48. The host server of claim 46, wherein theprocessor is further operative with the program to transmit said firstweb page reformatted to a percentage of its original size selected bysaid user.
 49. A computer readable medium having computer executablesoftware code stored thereon for presenting, through a host server, webcontent to a user at a remote device, comprising: code for receiving anidentifier from said user; code for verifying said identifier; and codefor transmitting display information to said user including at least onelens for presentation within a window of a browser on said remotedevice, wherein the at least one lens controls server-side web browsingand is operative to display a separate web page upon receiving a uniformresource locator from said user.
 50. The computer readable medium ofclaim 49, further comprising: code for receiving a first uniformresource locator through a first lens; and code for transmitting a firstweb page corresponding to said first uniform resource locator fordisplay in said first lens.
 51. The computer readable medium of claim50, further comprising code for receiving web page display datacorresponding to said first web page from a second server.
 52. Thecomputer readable medium of claim 5 1, further comprising: code forreceiving said web page display data in a first language; and code fortranslating said web page display data into a second language prior totransmission for display on said remote device.
 53. The computerreadable medium of claim 52, wherein said first language comprises atleast one of hypertext markup language, cascading style sheet language,extensible markup language, extensible style sheet language, extensiblehypertext markup language and wireless markup language.
 54. The computerreadable medium of claim 52, wherein said second language comprises atleast one of hypertext markup language and wireless markup language. 55.The computer readable medium of claim 49, wherein said plurality oflenses comprises four lenses.
 56. The computer readable medium of claim49, wherein each lens has at least one navigational control.
 57. Thecomputer readable medium of claim 56, wherein said navigational controlcomprises at least one of a uniform resource locator entry field, ahorizontal scroll bar, a vertical scroll bar, a minimize command button,a maximize command button, a close lens command button, a forwardcommand button, a backward command button, a bookmark command button, areformat command button and a menu command button.
 58. The computerreadable medium of claim 49, wherein each lens has full browser controlcapability.
 59. The computer readable medium of claim 49, wherein afirst lens controls the web content displayed in a second lens.
 60. Thecomputer readable medium of claim 49, wherein each lens is operative topresent web page display data for any uniform resource locator received.61. The computer readable medium of claim 49, wherein said identifiercomprises an identification code and a password.
 62. The computerreadable medium of claim 50, further comprising: code for receiving asingle command to bookmark said first web page; and code for storing abookmark identifier for said first web page.
 63. The computer readablemedium of claim 62, wherein said single command is received through abookmark command button associated with said first lens.
 64. Thecomputer readable medium of claim 49, further comprising code forstoring at least one cookie associated with each lens.
 65. The computerreadable medium of claim 49, further comprising code for storing atleast one cookie associated with said user identifier.
 66. The computerreadable medium of claim 50, wherein said first web page is transmittedsuch that only a portion of display data associated with said first webpage can be viewed within a display area of said first lens withoutusing a horizontal scroll bar or a vertical scroll bar.
 67. The computerreadable medium of claim 66, further comprising code for receiving arequest from said user to reformat said first web page.
 68. The computerreadable medium of claim 67, further comprising code for reformattingsaid first web page in response to said request such that substantiallyall of said display data can be viewed within said display area withoutusing said horizontal scroll bar or said vertical scroll bar.
 69. Thecomputer readable medium of claim 67, further comprising code forreformatting said first web page to a percentage of its original sizeselected by said user.
 70. The computer readable medium of claim 50,further comprising: code for receiving display data corresponding tosaid first web page; code for determining whether said display data hasa size greater than or less than a display area of said first lens; andcode for reformatting said first web page if said size is greater thanor less than said display area.
 71. The computer readable medium ofclaim 70, further comprising code for reformatting said first web pagesuch that substantially all of said display data can be viewed withinsaid display area without using a horizontal scroll bar or a verticalscroll bar.
 72. The computer readable medium of claim 70, furthercomprising code for reformatting said first web page to a percentage ofits original size selected by said user.
 73. A method performed by ahost server for presenting web content to a user at a remote devicecomprising: receiving an identifier from said user; verifying saididentifier; and upon said verification, transmitting display informationincluding at least one lens which controls the web content in a secondlens.
 74. A method performed by a host server for presenting web contentto a user at a remote devise, comprising: receiving an identifier fromsaid user; verifying said identifier; upon said verificationtransmitting display information including at least one lens forpresentation within a window of a browser; and storing at least onecookie associated with each lens.
 75. A method performed by a hostserver for presenting web content to a user at remote device,comprising: receiving an identifier from said user; verifying saididentifier; upon said verification transmitting display informationincluding a first lens for presentation within a window of a browser;receiving a first uniform resource locator through said first lens;transmitting a first web page corresponding to said first uniformresource locator for display in said first lens, said first web pagebeing transmitted such that only a portion of display data associatedwith said first web page can be viewed within a display area of saidfirst lens without using a horizontal scroll bar or a vertical scrollbar.